New data from Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) has highlighted significant regional differences in cruise-related travel insurance claims across Australia, with Tasmanian travellers making claims at a notably higher rate than those from other states.
Between May 2024 and April 2025, claims from Tasmania accounted for 16% of all cruise claims relative to policies sold, outpacing Victoria (11.2%) and Queensland (10.1%).
Other states including Western Australia (9.8%), South Australia (9.4%), and New South Wales (8.1%) also saw measurable claim activity.
Meanwhile, the ACT (5.6%) and Northern Territory (6.3%) reported the lowest levels.
SCTI, which operates across both Australia and New Zealand, also noted that Australians are 42% more likely to submit cruise-related claims than New Zealand travellers, suggesting differences in either travel behaviour or medical needs across the two markets.
Claims predominantly relate to onboard incidents and medical treatments, with several cases involving substantial out-of-pocket costs.
In one example, a policyholder incurred $8,500 in charges for ship-based medical services including consultations and diagnostic procedures. Additional charges included $878 for standard medical equipment and $1,222 for prescribed medication.
Another traveller submitted a claim exceeding $11,000, which included a telehealth consultation valued at $900 and 17 hours of care onboard costing over $1,600.
The average cruise claim cost reported by SCTI was $1,329 – comparable to the average overseas travel insurance claim, which was $1,359.
Jess Strange, chief customer officer at SCTI, said the figures reinforce the financial exposure travellers face without cruise-specific insurance.
“We know Aussies are a nation of cruise enthusiasts, and while it’s a fabulous way to travel, there are some drawbacks that could result in costly medical bills if you choose not to take out travel insurance for your voyage,” she said.
She also noted the implications of remote cruise routes on emergency response.
“Often, cruise ships are in remote places far out at sea; therefore, if repatriations need to occur, the remoteness and complexity of the repatriation process can make it more costly. In addition to this, cruise ships can be in locations where access to high quality medical care is not always possible, in which case transporting the customer to the nearest centre of medical excellence may involve an air ambulance, which is expensive,” Strange said.
The latest figures are released as rising living costs continue to influence how Australians plan and insure their holidays.
According to the Allianz Partners Travel Index, 71% of Australian adults plan to travel in the next year, while 80% of those who are not travelling cited affordability as the main deterrent.
For those booking travel, financial security and well-being were key priorities. Wellness-focused holidays, including resort stays, were popular among 71% of respondents. Insurance considerations played a strong role in these plans.
Survey data from Zoom Travel Insurance also revealed that younger Australians maintain strong travel ambitions despite economic pressures. Among 500 respondents aged 18 to 34, 72% said travel remained a non-negotiable part of their lifestyle.
The Allianz data also showed that expected spending levels influence insurance behaviours.
Most respondents planned to spend between $5,000 and $10,000 per trip. Those aged 18 to 34 were nearly twice as likely as those over 55 to spend more than $10,000 on travel.
Across all age groups, 82% said they intended to purchase travel insurance. Top concerns driving this included:
Insurance was most commonly purchased directly from providers (40%), followed by travel websites (16%) and credit card coverage (14%). Those spending more than $10,000 were about 20% more likely to buy insurance compared to lower-spending travellers.
